Apparatus for assembling tank bodies



7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 13, 1951 N .om

May 25, 1954 F. G. CLARK APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1951 @uns A m ma. T m. n mc Ov M m d F Nm am May 25, 1954 F. G. CLARK APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES 7 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 13, 1951 mi. .om

. IN1/mm1; Y FQANK C; CLARK BY@MQ ATToR/vL-Ks May 25, 1954 F. G. CLARK 2,679,278

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES Filed Jan. 13, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A Tram/:Ys

May 25, 1954 F. G. CLARK APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES INVENTOR. HG' 6 HQANK Gf CLARK Av-v-oR/VEY:

May 25, 1954 F. G. CLARK APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES Filed Jan. 15, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TOR.

FEQNK G. CLARK A TTORNE Ys May 25, 1954 F, G CLARK 2,679,278

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES Filed Jan. 15, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 CON TROL VA LV: FUR LA MP/NG CONTROL. VALVE FUR ARMS 3/ A/vo J2 Hals/'gr E VALVE RESERVOIR Hat/3 INVENTOR.

F/'QANK G. CLARK ATTORNEYS Patented May 25, 1954 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING TANK BODIES Frank G. Clark, Minneapolis, Minn., assigner to Brown `Steel Tank Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of MinnesotaI Application January 13, 1951, Serial No. 205,903

'6 Claims. i

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for assembling tank bodies.

.In the past it has beencustomary in the construction of large tank bodies to preform the tank heads or Aends and also the sidewall or shell of the tank, the latterusually being preformed by rolling, to form a hollow body or cylinder, open at each lend, and into `the ends of which the tank heads are subsequently tted and suitably secured, and the contiguous edges fof the tank shell being secured together in the usual manner.

The above method of constructing and assembling tank bodies is quite expensive in that it requires that the sheet constituting the lshell of the tank be handled several times, rst in the operation of rolling the sheet into a cylinder, and secondly, when tting vthe tank vheads into the cylinder and securing them thereto.

The present 'invention facilitates the operation of assembling the parts Vof a tank 'that the main body sheet -is not rolled into va cylinder before the assembling operation, as in the past, but is merely cut'or blanked to a predetermined size.

'I'he 'blank of vsheet metal is then brought into engagement with the tank yends -by placing 4the tank yheads on the ends lof the sheet and Wrapping the opposed side portionsthereo'f upwardly around the -tank ends. During `this operation, the peripheries of the tank heads serve as forms for shaping the sheet while bending it into a cylindrical or oval shape, with Ythe assurance :the marginal side edges .of the sheet will iirrnlyseat against the peripheries vof the tank .heads so Vthat the ends of the sheet -mayreadily .and expeditiously be secured .thereto to provide .leakprcof seams or joints.

Generally, the Amachine comprises two v.pairs of arms, one pair `located at'each side of the machine, and each paircarrying an elongated roller. rEhe blankof sheetrmetal whichis to form the tank shell or body, .is .placed in the machine, over said rollers. The arms are then set .into motion whereupon the rollers vengage the opposed side portions yof the sheet and upwardly bend or wrap thesheetaround the tank heads until the marginal side edges of .the sheet are brought into contiguous relationship, whereby they may be welded togetherto forme leakproof seam. The sheet is secured to thetank `heads as thefsheet is Wrapped around saidllieads, there by .to complete the assembling of the iparts oi the vtank body.

An important object of the present invention therefore, is to provide an improved method of and apparatus for assembling tank bodies, whereby the operation of forming and securing the tank shell to the usual preformed 'tank heads may be greatly expedited.

A further and more Aspecific object of `the invention is to provide 'a -machine for assembling tank bodies comprising a pair of elongated rollers mounted in pivoted arms which operate simultanecusly to Wrap the sheet around the tank heads or ends, after which the marginal ends of the sheet are secured to the rtank heads yby such means as welding.

A further object is to provide a machine for assembling tank bodies which comprises Va minimum of operating parts, and which does not require the tank shell to be Vpreformed before assembly, as is now customary.

A further Objectis to provide a machine of this general type wherein the tank lheads or ends serve as forming dies in 'the operation of shaping the tank shell and assembling it with and securing it to the tan'k heads.

Other objects vof the invention reside in the novel manner in which the roller supportingarms are interconnected for simultaneous operation; in the toggle mechanisms provided for simul taneously operating `said arms; in the provision of a pneumatic device for simultaneously operating the sheet folding or lbending arms; in the unique arrangement of the sheet-forming rollers whereby they may be utilized for preshaping the marginal -side portions of the sheet metal blank prior to wrapping the sheet around the tank ends to facilitate bringing the side edges thereof into abutting relationship for welding; in the means for securing the tank heads in position upon the -blankof sheet metal; in the lunique control means provided for controlling the operation of the sheet forming arms and tank head securing means, whereby a single operator may readily and vconveniently control the pivotal movement of said arms, and also the operation of the clamping beam for securing the tank heads in position upon the sheet prior 'to and during the wrapping ofthe sheet around the tank heads or ends; and in'the provision of such a machine which is extremely simple and inexpensive, whereby it may be manufactured in quantity production at low cost.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying 'drawings- In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end view of the machine showing a blank of sheet metal positioned therein prior to wrapping it around the tank headsY or ends positioned upon the opposed end edges of the sheet;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the V-blocks for supporting the tank heads and the sheet during the operation of forming the tank shell;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View showing the means provided for pre-forming the opposed side edges of the blank before it is wrapped around the tank ends;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, partially broken away to more clearly illustrate the actions of the rollers which force the marginal side portions of the sheet into forming engagement with the forming blocks;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the blank after its opposed side portions have been preformed and the tank ends being in operative positions on the sheet;

Figure 7 is a view showing in iull and dotted lines the action of the forming rollers when initially swung upwardly to bend or wrap the blank of sheet metal around the tank ends;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, showing in full lines the positions of the forming rollers when the preformed edge portions of the sheet have been brought into close proximity to the clamping beam which holds the tank ends or heads in position during the forming operation;

Figure 9 is a view showing the clamping beam moved out of engagement with the tank ends and the sheet completely Wrapped about the tank ends with its marginal side edges disposed in abutting relation, in which position they areretained by the forming rollers while welding the joint therebetween;

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional view on the line Ill-IB of Figure 6. showing the mountingof the sheet forming rollers on their respective.l

supporting arms;

Figure 11 is a top view of Figure 10, showing the tie bar between the bearing blocks of eachforming roller;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line I2-I2 of Figure 1, showing the interconnection between the guides provided at4 the ends of the clamping beam to retain it in parallel relation to the deck of the machine at all times; and

the hydraulic control system.

Supporting ,frame The novel tank forming machine herein disclosed is shown comprising a suitable base, generally designated by the numeral 2, comprising side beams 3 and 4 and end members 5, all of which may be suitably welded together to provide a rigid support for the operating mechanism of the machine, subsequently to be described.

A deck 6 is supported over the base 2 upon a suitable supporting structure, including uprights Figure 13 is a diagrammatic View illustrating 1 and 8, suitable cross members I I, and longitudinally extending side members 9. Metallic plates I3 and I4 are secured to the uprights l and 8, longitudinal frame members 9, cross members iI, and end members I5 and It, and have their inner edges bent upwardly to meet the opposed side edges of the deck plate 5, as best illustrated in Figure 1. The outer marginal edges of the top forming plates I3 and I4 are preferably bent downwardly, as shown at I1 in Figure l, thereby to strengthen the structure.

In Figure 1 it will be noted the main deck 6 is disposed at an elevation above the side decks I3 and I4, thereby to allow space for the forming rollers I8 and I9, when in normal inoperative positions, as shown in Figure 1. When the rollers are thus positioned, a blank of sheet metal may readily be positioned in the machine without interference from the forming rollers.

Sheet supporting means An important feature of the present inven-V tion resides in the novel manner in which the blank of sheet metal is supported in the machine during the bending or wrapping of the sheet around the tank ends. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2, spaced V-blocks 2I and 22 are se' cured to one end of the deck 6 and may be permanently secured thereto by a transversely disposed upright member 23, secured to the ends of the V-blocks 2l and 22, whereby it becomes in effect an integral part thereof.

Adjustably secured to the opposite end of the it being understood that the V-blocks are so adjusted that the upright cross members 23 and 25 to which the V-blocks are secured, are so spaced as to substantially engage the end edges of the blank sheet of metal, when placed uponthe V-blocks prior to the bending operation.

Supporting means for sheet bending rollers The means provided for operating the sheet forming rollers I8 and I9 is shown comprising two pairs of opposed arms 3I and 32, one pair being located at each end of the deck 6. The forming rollers I8 and IS are preferably of tubular stock, as illustrated in Figure 10, and plugs 33 are secured in the opposed ends of each roller. Each plug is shown having one end projecting from the roller which is preferably turned dov/n to provide a pintle 34. These pintles are rotatably received in suitable bearing blocks 35, mounted for sliding movement on their respective arms 3I or 32.

Means is provided for maintaining the forming rollers I8 and I9 in parallel relation relative to one another at all times, to assure accurate forming of the metallic sheet around the tank ends. To thus maintain the rollers I8 and I9 in paralel relation, a shaft 3S extends through each roller and each shaft has its end portions supported in suitable brackets 31 secured to their respective bearing blocks 35 by lsuitable bolts' rIhe spacing between' 3dr.. as best;v illustratedi in lil. Secured. to the: ends; ofrshaftss 36: arapinions-ii mountedjorf traveling; movementy in rack-r; bars 4l. secured tn. the:- cperatingf'arms; 3.1. andi. 332-.. At, least one: end of each; Sheff-5136; isfsquared: as; shown; at 42;. whereby a wrench.. or: may be; applied theretoformanuaiy rQtatingfthe-shattstb trans;- late.. the; forming rollers lengthwise; on. tire; arms: 3|.y and ifl necessary;

To retainthe.bearingrblocks 3,5; of. eachzforming; roller' t8. or; I 9;, inf. accurately-r spaced' relation;- av tiegban 413.Y is interposed; therebetween anch has. itsr ends suitably welded. or; otherwise; permanently secured. thereto; as; indicatedain Figures 2f'. andi ll. The., rack. bars; 4li extend substantially theV full.; length: oftheir.` respective arms; 3 lr. and 3.2;. as; willi be notedf b vreferenceA tEigure 1; Tha inner.:I ends'y of arms 3l; and 32. aref.- pivoted;r to.; aligned:- pivots 4d'. supported; in suitable.bracketsulishowrr securedto the:` machine;v frameA at each ,end there-- of., as best illustratedzin E'igures. 1'. andzill. BrackeL ets 45 may be detachablyf secured' to the, end: beamsv 5. of the machine.frame suitable: bolts 4G, or; if desired, theymay beweldedv directlyftoV` the beams 5.

Operating means for sheet. bending. rollers The meansv provided' for simultaneously operating the' forming arms 3| and 32 at each end' of themachine isfbestillustratedin Figure 1, and is. in the' form of a toggle mechanism compris'- ing a pair of'links 4l and 48, each having one end' pivoted to its respective operating arm, as indicated at 49 and 5|'. Theopposite-ends ofv links 4'1l and' lvarel pivoted to armsZ-and- 53', respectively, Which in turn are secured to spaced shafts-- 54 and 55 mounted inV suitable bearings provided in; the end brackets 45.

Arms 56 and51 aresecured toshaftsland; respectively, and. have their swinging. endsf piv. otally connected toV the piston rods 581 and? 59 of' apair of'hydrauliccylind'ers 6|: andfBL. The two.- cylinders are pivoted at 63 to. suitable brackets: secured-1 to, the side-frame membersgsl and 4, as:

illustratedfin Figure 1,. If desiredarms. 5.5i and 5'! may have their outer endsrforkedjtof receive;- the piston; rods 53 and 59. inorderto: equalize; the strainsY exerted on-.saidy arms; when the3pis-A tons are actuated to swing: the; formingv arms. 3i: and 32 upwardly. in the operation of. wrapping?y the blank of; sheetzmetalaround tha-tank ends.

Meansgis provided-forsynchronizing'thesmovee ments of the` forming` arms-i 3l: andl32v` to. assurez' accurate bending ofi the; sheet; into contact: Wit-has. the peripheries of the tankf. headsz. To-thussym. chronizethe operation ofsaid arms, shafts; 5.4 and. 55 are geared together. by Suitablei gears (i411 andiii, as; indica-tedindotteddinesiinihe draw-- ings; By thus;gearinetogether'shatsd andz., the forming. arms at each. end. ofthe: machines will always operate;simultane ously; whereby: thee forming rollers are maintained: ingzparallell rela--v tionprelative to one another; and tm the-axis ofi the tank to be assembled;which isessentiaht accurately-'wrap the sheetgaroundztheftanle ends.

Means for. preformzng opposedsidejedges. o-f'sheet metalis-best illustratedinll'igm'eszl,.42and53 and: .,151

6. comprisesisa pair*A cti' fencing blocks: cnr-.bars 66 and 61, shown. securedL to the. outer marginal edge portionsof'the side decks. L3 and.. I4.. These. forming. blocks preferably extend the fullllengtlr ofthe machine frame and' have. curvedsurfaces; 68'. against which thgmarginallside. edge pontions; ofthe sheet are alternately pressedby. .the form;- ing rollersl IB.' and' I9;

In. the initial operatiozrof'` shaping'. the tank; shell;` one of the marginal side edge portions thereof.A is placed on: one. of the forming blocks. 61,. as shown in Figure lLand' the forming roller lill; is then broughtinto engagement with the. edge.: portion ofthe, sheet. The forming arms 312' are;

- next swung` downwardly,v whereby the roller 1.5;

will" engage the top surface ofgthe'sheet and'bend; or roll.' the marginal edge portion thereoA into:- the form shownin Eigure, the roller moving; inwardly relative to the arms 32, as aresuli'iof theA downwardly curved. face 68, of. the. forming block 61, and thel slidable mounting of. rollen I9. on arms 32..

Whenthe pre1-shapingV of saidmarginal. edge; portion off the sheet hasv fbeen completed', .the forming arms 3.2 are released'. and, the. opposite.' side edge portion ofthe` sheet is similarly. prei-V shaped by thefuse of forming. block, 68 and;form. ing. roller. I8. When the two side edgeportions.. ofithe sheethave thus been pre-shapedorformed'..

i thel sheet is placed on the VJ-blocks 21.--22 and.Y

2li-25, as shown in Figure 6,' andthe tank ends., or heads 6e arev then placed upon the marginal; end' edge portions of. the. sheet'. and securedlin. operative positionsthereon by a suitable clampf ingdevice, next'to be described.

Clam-ping means for tank heads-andiody sieetr' The; means .for rmlysecuring the-tank: ends-I A 69f in position. on. the blanki sheet .of 'metal;during=. the bending'of the/sheet around-the-tank.hea-dse.`

` 2offtheemachine.. Cylindrical'. guides 1.1, are-.sez-VA cured? to theends ofithe channels. 12 and 1.3 ofi the clampingv beam. 1 l adaptedl to.. receivethelcys; lindricacolumnsi 7i?, aszbest: illustrated inf. ureal 12, whereby the; channelsafn'd: guides; .'ltbe:t

- come; in; eiect; an. integraal. unit adapted' forfuprf andf down movement upon the columns-'10.2

Meanszis provided for maintaining'th'e: beam?. 'lili' in-true parallelrelationtothe deeksi, and is'shnwin, comprising aI shaftvv '18 having.- its: ends: rotatably: supportedin suitable bearings-15 providedginzthe: guides; as shown in Figures and;12; x Pinions".` SI' are secured`t'o1the-.end` portions of' thers'haftr 'mi andi traveli in racks: 8.2 securedi to: the colinum-nsz'li. The tern'iinalsoi7 the' shaft 18 pifojacti:l beyond;` the bearings; 'IS-. and are.: preferably# squared;.as indicat'edlin the drawings; Wherebysae wrenchgorcrankxnaygbeeapplieditheretozfonmaneuallyfA rotating: the. shaft;V 18; the; thatr is: desireds. to: manuallyA vertically# translate clamping beanr..4 12| upon-thacoiumnsJnr.

Operating means for clamping beam The vertical movement or adjustment of the clamping beam 1| is preferably accomplished hydraulically. To thus operate the beam, each guide 11 is shown provided with a lateral extension 85 provided at their lower ends with plate portions 86 to which similar plate portions 81 of a pair of piston rods 83 and 84 are secured by such means as bolts 88. See Figures 3 and 12. The piston rods 83 and 84 are provided with suitable pistons. not shown, contained in cylinders 89 and 9|, having their lower ends secured to the supporting frame of the machine, as will be understood by reference to Figures 1 and 3. Suitable semi-cylindrical guards 92 enclose the piston rods 83 and 84 and cylinders 89 and 9 I, and have their lower ends suitably secured to the machine frame, as will be understood by reference to Figure 1.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in the unique construction of the mounting means for the forming rollers I8 and I9, whereby they are adapted for longitudinal traveling movement upon their respective supporting arms 3| and 32, during the forming or bending of the sheet around the tank ends. As best illustrated in Figure 10, each bearing block 35 is provided at its lower end with an outwardly extending tongue 93 mounted for sliding movement in longitudinally extending grooves si! provided on the inner surfaces of the forming arms 31| and 32. The tongues 93 prevent the bearing blocks from relatively rotating with respect to` their supporting arms, but permit said bearing blocks to slide longitudinally on the arms 3| and 32 during the operation of wrapping a blank of sheet metal around the tank ends. By thus mounting the rollers I8 and I9, they will follow the contour of the tank ends as the body sheet is wrapped therearound, as clearly illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

Hydraulic control means `As hereinbefore stated, the operation of the present machine is preferably hydraulically controlled, as illustrated in Figure 13. As herein disclosed, a fluid supply tank or reservoir 95 is shown having one end of a suction conduit 96 disposed therein, The opposite end of conduit 96 is connected to the intake side of a suitable pump 91, having one end of a conduit 98 connected to the pressure side thereof. The pump may be directly driven by a suitable motor 99.

The pressure conduit 98 is connected to the intake side of a Suitable control Valve, generally designated by the numeral I I, having an operating lever |02 connected to the usual piston or slide |03 of the valve. A similar control valve |04 is shown connected in series with the valve |0| by a conduit |05, and has an operating lever |06. The valves |0| and |04 Aare preferably identical in construction, and each comprises a piston or slide |03, which are adapted for independent operation by manipulation of the valve operating levers |02 and |06. The body of each valve comprises a fluid chamber |01, which normally is open to the discharge side of the valve body, when the valve slide |03 is in its neutral position, as she-wn in valve |04. When the valve slides are thus positioned, the fluid entering chamber |01 of valve I0| will flow through passages |09 and I I into a central chamber I l2, and thence through passage ||3 into .chamber |||4 of valve 10|, and through conduit; |05, valve |04, and return conduit.|08., back to the reservoir 95.

with the upper ends of cylinders 89 and 9|,asY

clearly illustrated in Figure 13.

Control valve I0 which controls the operation of the forming arms 3| and 32, has a conduit |22 leading from its chamber I5 to a cross conduit |23 having its ends in communication with the bottom ends of cylinders 6| and 62. A conduit |24 connects chamber IIE of valve |0| to a cross conduit |25, the ends of which are connected to the upper ends of cylinders 6I and 62, as clearly illustrated in Figure 13. v

A pressure relief valve |26 is preferably provided in a by-pass conduit |21 for by-passing fluid back to the supply tank or reservoir 45, in the event that the flow of fluid to the cylinders should accidentally become interrupted. The pressure relief valve may be of conventional design, and is shown comprising a spring-biased check ball |29, confined within a casing |29 and normally retained in closed position by a spring |3|, against the pressure of the iluid in conduit 98. Under normal operating conditions, the valve remains closed. It opens only in the event that an abnormally high pressure should develop in conduit S0.

Operation In the operation of the novel machine herein disclosed, the motor 99 is first started whereby the pump 91 is actuated to circulate fluid through the valves |0I and |04, it being understood the valve operating levers |02 and |06 ofthe two valves are normally in neutral position, as shown in full lines in Figure 13, prior to starting the machine. The control lever |02 of valve |0| is then shifted to position U, whereby the valve I0| will direct the pressure fluid into the bottoms of cylinders 8| and 62, thereby to cause arms 3| and 32 to move upwardly from the positions shown in Fig. 1, to that shown in Fig. 4.

The operator then manually slides roller I9 outwardly to a position adjacent to the forming block 61. A blank of sheet metal is next inserted into the machine with one of its side edges entering between the roller IS and the top of the forming block B1, after which the control lever |02 of valve |0| is shifted to position D, thereby forcing roller I9 into engagement with the sheet. whereby the sheet is pressed firmly against the curved surface 68 of die block 51 to pre-form the sheet, as illustrated in Figure 6. The'same operation is repeated to similarly shape the opposite side edge of the sheet, by manipulation of arms 3| relative to forming block B6.

When the opposed side edge portions of the sheet have thus been preformed, arms 3| and 32 are lowered to their normal horizontal positions by manipulation of control lever |02 of valve |0|, after which the sheet is placed on the V-blocks 2|, 22, 24 and 25, preparatory to being wrapped around the tank ends to complete the formation of the tank shell.

The tank heads or ends 69 are next placed upon the end portions of the blank with their lower portions engagingthe stop members .23 and 26 accepts Aand `firmly `press them d'downwardly against ,they

sheet 'until the :sheet -assumes substantially the positionshownfinFigure 1.

',fhe operator kthen shifts -control lever `,m2 of valve titl to position LU, `Lwhereby `valve SW2 `will Adirect fthe pressure -i'luid .into lthe -iower `ends `of cylinders 'Gli and 62,and thereby-cause the piston rods f53 land 59 :to be projected from cylinders 6| and `At2, as -will ceunderstoodbyreference ltoFigur-es 1 and :13. Such actuation-of pis- 'tons 158 and '5S will `vimpart a rocking motion to shafts 5ft and 55, whereby the toggle mechanisms '(ilinks fl-andd-f) are-actuated to swingtheiforming-arms 3| and 32 upward1y,as ,indicated by --the lfull -and dotted lines Fig-- ure L7.

-As itheiarms .continue their lupward movement, the forming rollers ISB and 1%, because of `their slidable mounting `on the arms 3| and -3-2, "will follow Athe contours 'or peripheries ofthe tank heads, with the Ymetallic sheet interposed betweensaid rollers and the peripheries of the tank heads, until 'the arms reach the positions shown in Figure 8. `jDuring suchfoperationsof the arms, the forming rollers le and ,|,9move cutwardlyon the-arms as a result of the unique mounting of the bearing blocks 35 and bracket, thereby irmly'wrapping the sheet ,around lthe tank ends and maintaining it in firm .contact with the .peripheries thereof. Simultaneously, as thegsheet is .wrapped around the tank ends,.a Welder tack welds :the sheet to the tank Iends at spaced fintervalsfaruund the circumference fthereof, asindicated ate-d. 6i, and 1f, in Figuref. Control :valve H34 ispreferably so designed that when-:the operator ,freleases his grasp on the control lever, thefvalvenpiston or slide iSBVther-eof will :always return to its neutral position N, as shown in Figure 13. When so positioned, the conduits I and |23 are closed to the circulation of luid, whereby the iiuid in the upper or lower ends of cylinders 89 and Si may be retained therein under pressure, depending upon the position of the valve lever |06. Valve |91' is similarly constructed.

When the sheet has been bent to the form shown in Figure 8, the operator swings the control lever |06 of valve Mld from position N to position U, whereby the pressure iiuid will enter the lower ends of cylinders B9 and 9| and project the pistons 33 and 8d therefrom to lift the clamping beam li out of engagement with the tank heads, as illustrated in Figure 9. The forming arms 3| and 32 are then moved inwardly to the dotted line positions shown in Figure 8, by manipulation of control lever |02, whereby the pre-formed side edge portions of the sheet are brought into metal-to-metal contact with the peripheries of the tank ends, and at the same time the longitudinal edges of the sheet are brought into abutting relation with each other, as shown in Figure 9. A Welder then welds together the abutting side edges of the sheet, as indicated at X in Figure 9, thereby to complete the assembling of the tank shell and tank ends.

Arms 3| and 32 are then returned to their normal horizontal positions, as .shown in illignre `l, to ,permit removal l of the assembled itank from lthe Amachine, .after which the welder `completes :the welding of l.the tank heads .tothegshelL and .also ,completes the welding Lof the 'longitudinal lseam `or :the tank `lvshell. ,in :some instances, it may .be deemed unnecessary toy preform theoppossd .side edges ,of the iblank, .tas :shown .in Eigure 6.

fLhernovel machine hereindisclosedihas proven ,very eincientnnd practical ;in ioperation. Itcompletey eliminates the-,usual :operation of forming the tank shell to the correctdiameterby.rolling. lit-,also eliminates A:theprohlemfof assembling f' the etankiheadsi'or :ends in ithe .ends-:of the .shell as :a separateroperation. The .hydraulic operating mechanism ,comprises ,a very .flexible .'contrnl, lwhereby the operation 4of :the forming Aarms :may be a-ccuratelycontrolled With a minimum :of .effort. It will valso ebenoted that lthe -preforming or" the marginal side edge Lportions of th-e sheet. prior :to Y,wrapping fthe blank :around the :tank ends, lis.-'acco1nplished:on ,the `same machine.

1vThe sliding action .of Nthe forming rollers :L8 and` its :upon their 'respective `supporting varms is :also important :in :that it causes the `.armste :follow fthe Ycontour Vof sthe ,tank heads, regardless of whether fthe `resultant tank l:is .cylindrical lor slightly :oval in-cross-section. Themounting of the l'forming rollers upon their respective arms is preer'a bly -suchthatithey will :returni by Agravity to their normal .positions against suitable stop elements Jl-t, 4adjustably secured to the arms 8-| and 32, as-shown -in 1Figu're). Suitable -stops |33 may also #be provided adjacent the upper ends ofthe arms for limiting-the outwardmovement of the -rollersonsaid-arms. rlihese-stop's are readily adjustable to adapt the machine for tanks of 1different-diameters.

'The machine is 'extremely zsimple in V'construe'4 tion and 'does not depend upon the services of a skilled mechanic for its operation. :By thefernplcyment of the novel machine hereindisclosed, a atrblank Iof 4sheet metal may be quickly wrapped around the tank :ends to 'complete the formation or the tank *shell lwithout the vuse pf forming dies ,'-the tank ends `serv-ing as dies for forming the A`sheet as :it iswrapped or bent therearound. In the foregoing, the tank ends are shown provided with peripheral lianges. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not to be so limited, as there may be instances where it might be deemed more desirable to utilize iiat disks for the tank heads in lieu of peripherally flanged heads, as herein shown.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should `be construed as broadly as permissible in View of the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a. machine for assembling large tank bodies, a frame comprising a deck having longitudinally extending laterally spaced parallel V- blocks thereon for supporting a blank of sheet metal of a predetermined size, a vertically movable clamping bar mounted over the deck for engaging and supporting a pair of tank heads in upright positions on said blank, one at each end thereof, oppcsitely disposed arms mounted for pivotal movement about a common axis, bearing blocks mounted for free sliding movement on said arms and carrying a pair of rollers, said rollers normally being positioned adjacent to the side edges of the deck and being movable into engagement with the bottom of the blank, upon actuation of said arms, thereby to completely wrap the blank around the tank heads, the slidable mounting of said bearing blocks permitting the blank forming rollers to freely follow the contours of the tank heads and thereby firmly roll the blank into intimate contact withthe peripheries of said tank heads.

2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein a toggle mechanism is connected to said arms, and hydraulic means is provided for actuating said toggle mechanism.

3. In a machine for assembling large tank bodies, a frame having a deck thereon for supporting a blank of sheet metal which is to form the shell of the tank, means for supporting a tank head on each end of said blank, a pair or opposed arms pivotally mounted at each end of the machine frame, the corresponding arms of said pairs of arms cooperatingto support a pair of elongated rollers normally disposed in spaced parallel relation adjacent to the side edges of said deck, bearing blocks mounting said rollers for longitudinal sliding movement on their respective arms, means for maintaining said rollers in parallel relation, and hydraulic means for moving said arms into engagement with the bottom surface of the blank and bending the side portions thereof upwardly, and inwardly around the tank heads, said rollers following the peripheries of the tank ends and rmly pressing the blank into direct contact therewith until the opposed side edges of the blank are brought into contiguous relation so that said side edges may be welded together and the ends of the blank welded to the tank ends, thereby to complete the assembling of the tank body.

4. A machine according to claim 3, wherein a hydraulically opera-ted clamping bar is provided for securing the tank ends in position on the blank during the wrapping of the blank around the tank ends.

5. In a machine for assembling large tank bodies, a base having a deck for supporting a blank of sheet metal, means for supporting a tank head on each end. of said blank, a pair of opposed arms pivotally mounted at each end of the machine frame and normally horizontally disposed, a longitudinally extending rack bar on each arm, the corresponding arms of said pairs of arms cooperating to support a pair of rollers disposed lengthwise of the machine frame, bearing blocks mounting said rollers for longitudinal sliding movement upon their respective arms, a shaft extending lengthwise through each roller and having pinions secured to their ends adapted to freely roll in said rack bars, thereby to maintain said rollers in true parallel relation, a toggle mechanism at each end of the machine for operating said arms, a pair of spaced parallel shafts operatively connecting together said toggle mechanisms, means gearing together said shafts for simultaneous operation in opposite directions, thereby to synchronize the operations of said arms, and hydraulic means for actuating said arms and causing them to engage and wrap the blank around the tank ends, until its opposed side edges are brought into contiguous relation to facilitate welding them together.

6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein a pair of forming bars are secured to the machine frame in spaced parallel relation adapted to cooperate with said blank bending rollers to preform each marginal side edge portion of the blank, prior to wrapping the blank around the tank ends, thereby to facilitate bringing the side edges of the blank into abutting relation to complete the formation of the tank shell.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 788,969 Walker May 2, 1905 1,371,833 Youtsey Mar. 15, 1921 1,770,763 Wolfstyn July 15, 1930 1,831,033 Richter Nov. 10, 1931 1,925,118 Stresau Sept. 5, 1933 2,277,519 Laxo Mar. 24, 1942 2,459,954 Morgan, Jr Jan. 25, 1949 2,480,369 Jasper Aug. 30, 1949 2,489,802 Needham Nov. 29, 1949 2,490,795 Gay Dec. 13, 1949 2,497,622 Mueller Feb. 14, 1950 2,517,853 Eickmeyer et a-l. Aug. 8, 1950 

